Chapter 5 – The Kitten in the Box
The incident that changed Anna’s opinion happened in March.
A small black kitten arrived in a cardboard fruit box.
Someone had reportedly found her beside a rubbish collection area.
One eye was badly inflamed.
Her fur was dirty.
She was weak but alert.
Anna immediately reached for the carrier.
Elisa stopped her.
“Leave her.”
“What?”
“In the box.”
“Why?”
“I’m getting the camera.”
Anna looked down.
The kitten tried to climb over the side.
Anna instinctively placed one hand against the cardboard so she would not fall.
Elisa returned.
“Move your hand.”
“She’ll climb out.”
“She won’t.”
“She is literally climbing.”
Elisa sighed.
“Then tilt the box slightly.”
Anna stared at her.
“What?”
“Not much. Just so she stays toward the back.”
Anna didn’t move.
Elisa looked annoyed now.
“I’ll do it.”
She adjusted the box herself.
Not violently.
Just enough that the kitten had difficulty climbing toward the opening.
Then Elisa stepped back.
“Okay.”
Anna remained beside her.
Elisa looked through the phone.
“No.”
“What?”
“Her face is too dark.”
She turned the box toward the window.
The light hit the kitten’s injured eye.
The animal tried to turn away.
Elisa repositioned the box again.
Anna felt something cold move through her stomach.
“Elisa.”
“One second.”
“She doesn’t like the light.”
“I know.”
“Then stop.”
Elisa lowered the phone.
“What is your problem today?”
“My problem?”
“Yes.”
Anna pointed toward the kitten.
“She needs a vet.”
“And she will get one.”
“When?”
“As soon as we’re done.”
“Why does this have to happen first?”
Elisa stared at her.
“Because treatment costs money.”
“You already have money.”
“We have bills.”
“For this animal?”
“For all of them.”
Anna shook her head.
“You’re using her pain as an advertisement.”
The room went silent.
Marco was standing near the door.
Another volunteer looked down at the floor.
Elisa slowly put the phone into her pocket.
“Go home.”
Anna blinked.
“What?”
“Go home.”
“I’m supposed to be here until six.”
“Not anymore.”
“Elisa.”
“I don’t need volunteers who think they’re morally superior to everyone actually keeping this place alive.”
Anna looked at the kitten.
“Can I take her to the clinic?”
“No.”
“I’ll pay.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she belongs to the rescue now.”
Anna stared at her.
That sentence frightened her more than the argument.
